Dental Bridges Cost Abroad
Costa Rica [Dental Clinic with 90% clients from Abroad]
El Salvador [US Board-Certified Dental Surgeon & Implantologist]
Thailand [Partnership with World-renowned Malo Clinic]
Mexico [Reputed Dentist in Various Locations]
When you have a missing tooth, it affects the way you chew and eat, and it can look odd when you smile. These gaps can also cause the other teeth to move into the empty space, resulting in a bad bite. Dental bridges are the right solution in such a situation.
There are different types of materials from which bridges are made. Depending on where the bridge is to be placed, its role, aesthetic considerations and cost, your dentist will help you choose the right type of bridge.
Where Are Dental Bridges Used?
Dental bridges are false teeth. They are fixed between two crowns to fill in the gap left by a missing tooth. The adjacent teeth, known as abutments, serve as anchors for the bridge. The replacement tooth is called a pontic and is attached to the abutment teeth.
When Are Dental Bridges Not Used?
If there are more than two-three missing teeth, dental bridges are not advised because longer spanning bridges are prone to collapsing.
Pre-Bridge Preparation
On your first visit, the dentist will first remove all traces of decay or damage from your mouth. This is common to any mouth restoration procedure. Then, your dentist will give anesthesia to numb the site of the bridge.
The adjacent teeth need to be prepared for the correct taper and accommodate the thickness of the crown. If the adjacent teeth already have fillings, the filling may serve as a foundation for the crown.
An impression will be then prepared, which becomes the mold from which the bridge, false tooth and crowns will be prepared. A temporary bridge is put in place until the permanent one is ready. This temporary bridge helps protect your teeth and gums.
Bridge Procedure
On your second visit to the dental clinic, the dental bridge procedure is completed. The permanent bridge is fitted and cemented in place.
Post-Bridge Care and Precautions
Care of your dental bridge changes somewhat depending on whether yours is a fixed or a removable bridge. If it’s a fixed bridge, you cannot slide floss between the teeth.
You will then have to use something called a floss-threader, with which you can very well thread floss there. Your dentist will show you how to do this. You must keep the site of the dental bridge clean.
If yours is a removable bridge, you should take it out and brush the area where the bridge sits, and then also brush the bridge. As long as you clean the bridge well and put it back like the dentist showed you, everything should be alright.
Hygiene is very important with removable bridges, as they tend to trap food. But a removable bridge places some strain on the teeth that it holds on to.
Hence, please get it checked regularly. Also, for a few weeks, your teeth will be sensitive to very hot or very cold food. Hence, stay away from ice-cream, cold drinks, etc.
Different Types of Dental Bridges
There are two kinds of classifications. The first has two types: fixed and removable dental bridges.
Removable dental bridges are recommended when there are not enough teeth in the mouth for the installation of a fixed dental bridge. Also, removable bridges are cheaper than fixed bridges.
A fixed dental bridge, by definition, stays in the mouth permanently. With fixed bridges, your mouth is restored to the condition it was before. You can brush and floss just like you did before.
Below are the types of bridges under the second classification:
Traditional bridge: A crown is made for the tooth on either side of the missing tooth or teeth, with a pontic (false tooth) in between. Traditional bridges are very common and are made of either porcelain fused-to-metal or ceramics.
Cantilever bridge: Usually, a dental bridge has a good tooth on either end with the pontics in between. A cantilever bridge has a good tooth only at one end. It is attached to one tooth and then hangs over, or cantilevers, beyond that tooth without another tooth on the other end.
Resin-bonded bridge: It is also known as Maryland bonded dental bridge. Much less preparation of adjacent teeth is needed for this type of dental bridge. It is mostly used to replace front teeth, if the gums are healthy and the adjacent teeth do not have major dental fillings.
A Maryland dental bridge will not last as long as the other types, as it is not structurally very sound.
Dental Bridges vs. Implants
Dental bridges are cheaper than implants, and hence attractive to the cost-conscious. But cost is not the deciding factor.
Many other factors like your bone structure, the condition of the adjacent teeth, your commitment to oral hygiene, etc. are considered by your dentist before recommending either dental bridges or dental implants.
Choosing Between a Dental Bridge and a Dental Filling
Dental bridges and dental fillings serve completely different purposes and hence cannot be compared in terms of their function. Dental fillings are restorations that sit within the walls of a tooth.
They are used to fill a portion of the tooth eaten away by decay or damage; but the tooth is still there. But dental bridges are used to fill the gap left by a missing tooth or teeth.
Dental Bridge vs. Dental Inlay
A dental inlay is a type of restoration that typically looks like natural teeth and fixes an existing tooth that is too damaged to support a dental filling. Here, too, the difference is obvious. Dental bridges are recommended only when there are missing teeth.
Dental Bridge vs. Dentures
Dental bridges are not advised when you have more than 2-3 missing teeth, as they cannot span that far. Also, the teeth surrounding the gap need to be strong for a dental bridge.
Dentures do not have these requirements, but they need high maintenance and will take quite some time for you to get used to them.
Resumes of Dentists
For your reference, here are the resumes of some accomplished dentists:
Dr Mario Bonilla Robert, Costa Rica – He expertise in cosmetic dentistry in Costa Rica. He has helped many people to smile beautifully at his clinic, New Smile Dental.
Dental Bridges in USA vs. Abroad
Dental bridges in the US can cost you $500-$900. This cost can drop by 60-80% if you choose India, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica, or El Salvador for your dental bridge.
But huge savings is not the only benefits that these medical tourism destinations offer. You also get high quality dental care and personalised service.
The bulk of the clientele of the dentists from India, Thailand, Mexico, Costa Rica, and El Salvador consists of medical tourists from the US, UK, Canada, etc. Hence, they also speak very good English.
The dental surgeons are highly qualified and experienced. So, do not hesitate. Choose any of these countries for your dental bridge and get your smile back!
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates affordable dental bridges at many international locations including Thailand, Mexico, El Salvador, & Costa Rica.
